Cultural miscommunication
By zandi458
@zandi458 (28102)
Malaysia
April 30, 2010 5:07am CST
Mylot is far reaching and we have people from different cultures in mylot village. I believe that a lot of the miscommunication we have here are entirely cultural. Both sides have viewpoints that come entirely from the cultural milieu that each lives in and unless each takes the trouble to understand the other person background, there will be perpetual standoff.
There were instances where I am grossly misunderstood because of how others read me in their own interpretation of my views. While I am with my point of views, are entirely based on what I have lived to believe. Being able to observe all these different culture has, I think, given me a strong advantage. I get to realize that there is more than that one way of seeing things. And one's point of view is almost always culturally-bound. Facts maybe facts but the way of interpreting them is always caught up by the cultural environment you were brought up to.
On the other hand, I don't know why some people still believe that their views are superior and others are less intelligent just because of where they come from. Some of us may have language barriers but it doesn't mean that we are of lesser being. Take for instance a discussion on politics of another country and I responded to give my point of views as an outsider but was given a shot in the head by one member who barge in. As someone coming from an Asian country and responding to political discussions of another is almost likely to hit a blank wall. Do some people assume that any Asian person is only able to talk on matters of their own country? This struck me as odd as everybody I know is ever willing to talk their heads off about politics. My question is Can we shrug off this cultural miscommunication?
5 people like this
12 responses
@derek_a (10873)
•
30 Apr 10
I feel that the Internet has provided everyone who encounters it with a unique opportunity to recognize that in reality we are all one. We are of the human race and whilst our country's politics may be different, we are all challenged with the same issues from day to day life springing from our human-ness.
Around 30 years ago, I encountered Zen and felt that I had found an answer, but soon realized that as a result of my Zen practice, the answer always lies within my self. The answer is experiential and revolves around the task of detachment from points of view and opinion that my mind has been conditioned with. To be detached enables us paradoxically to come together with all barriers melted away. We can then stop blindly serving any system, and begin to see each other as reflections of ourselves. If there is then anything we don't like in another, through contemplation we can then address this issue within our own consciousness, detach from it, and allow self and other to disappear into the whole. I don't think the "system" likes this however.
I have managed to drop a lot of my opininated mind, but there is still a lot more work to do there. However, it is the journey and not the destination that I will grow through. 
_Derek
_Derek2 people like this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
30 Apr 10
In fact politics are all about people and that is why many people are interested to talk about politics but not everyone can accept the views forwarded. I am with you on meditation as I believe there is greater power in the universe than physical energy. It is the energy of the mind which is not subject to the physical laws.
@balasri (26537)
• India
6 May 10
It all depends on the quality of the friends we choose in the long run from different countries with different cultures .People come with a variety of hues and colors regardless of the country to which they belong.Some persons are aggressive by nature and may have the superiority complex.But another person from the same country must be a very amicable person.So I think there are good and bad people from everywhere.It is for us to segregate the grain from the chaff.
1 person likes this
@savypat (20216)
• United States
30 Apr 10
Sometimes I have to go back and read my discussion to try to understand why I got the response. But often people just don't agree with me and then I learn something new. I don't take anything to much to heart because after all this is a virtual world and not real. This is a fun thing to do and if we get to serious someone's feelings will be hurt. Not a good thing.
. We do enjoy the fun here.
@sanjana_aslam (4187)
• Malaysia
1 May 10
very trully said .. but it does not only differ among the cultures but among families and individuals too .. for instance, my husband made a decision on something at his home which means that was the end of discussion on the subject, within minutes the brother called in and continued another discussion on the matter, asking opinions from others again ... this made my hubby really mad that he voiced out his displeasure that his conclusion is not valued and he said that he will never input in family matters again.
one thing for sure his family does not care for my input at all ... but i must show interest in opinions, i hv learned to keep my actual feelings over issues and pretend that they know the best, i just say "yes" to everything ..
cheers
1 person likes this
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
30 Apr 10
HI Zandi, Although mylot is a great place for discussion it also exposes cultural and language barriers which can be enriching if we explore and share things together. I am a bit wary when it comes to participate in a political discussion (especially foreign politics) because I am not living the reality that mylot coutnerparts are. I do believe that it is one thing discussing an issue on paper and another when it hits you directly. For example I participated in a thread where the carrying of arms and fireguns should be carried or not. I aired my views which were not well received by the majority of people in that discussion. On the other hand I am not living in their place and though I can air my views which may be totally opposed to theirs I do not know the reality in which they live in.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
30 Apr 10
Yes it is a little tricky to participate in a political discussions of another country as we are only looking at it from a distance or only reading based on what is written in the discussion and do not really experience the real situation as the writer. But the basic idea is to alter language so that we don't place whoever we may be speaking about at a disadvantage and therefore liable to be oppressed.
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
30 Apr 10
i know this is difficult to happen. just like you have said, even in the same race or country, miscommunication happens and thereby, you are being misunderstood. i always try to think about the subject, the topic in every discussion i read. and when i cannot really get the point of the host, i leave the thread.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
1 May 10
I do that too. I will just skip posts that am not able to relate well. I have responded to a discussion once only to be told off by the OP that I have gone out of text. So I am a little choosy now as to which discussions to respond. As for me I will never hurt the feelings of my responder by telling them off that way.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
30 Apr 10
To be honest i try to stay away from discussions on politics. People can not undestand this is a forum for expressing ourselves on any topic we choose. The only problem some people can not let u do that w/out being nasty to u. I consider people like that to be narrow minded & really don't care for their nastiness.
1 person likes this
@bagputza (504)
• Belgium
30 Apr 10
Good morning dear friend Zandi458 , actually the fact that the users who gaved you a headshot because you leaved your opinion , must be a little bit frustrate , try not to take it personal , because the political subjects have always made victims even people from the same country , when they talk about politics , the fact that they have different views on it , will make them fight eachother ( verbally sometimes even phisical agression ) , and the fact that you are from another country doesn't mean you are less experimented in the political subject , and after all you are doing your duty by expressing your opinion , on no matter what subject , that user must be way too little ( point of view brain neurons ) , and you even have to let him affect you , as it goes for me everyone its free to express its political views , as long as it doesn't transforms in a huuge dispute.
Have a nice day dear friend.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
30 Apr 10
Hi bagputza, we might come from different countries but politics is a wide subject and some people might not be able to grasp what is being said because of different ideology and the ways politics are run in their countries but the game of politics in the true sense of the word is all too familiar even to the ordinary jo on the street.
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
22 May 10
i know of too many people who talk of nothing but politics..
but, it is their preference and their views, which i've learnt to respect. even if i don't necessarily enjoy it. this thinking would be ideal for everybody in the world, then there wouldn't be the type of miscommunication that leads to the many man-made problems that we have now.
it's nice to be able to be objective, and see views for what it is; views. some people are passionate about their views, some are just nonchalant about it. some are direct, and some like to be a bit elusive. so many different people, so many different ways of thinking. but the, this is exactly what diversity means
so, from a certain point of view, we need people who disagree, people who agree. people who swear by their own words, people who back up what they say. we need all of these types of people and more, to ensure diversity..
and about winning and losing discussions, it doesn't matter for me...unless i am defending something personal
respect & tolerance has made me what i am today. my joy for humor has enable me to have the strength and patience to do so.. :)
but, it is their preference and their views, which i've learnt to respect. even if i don't necessarily enjoy it. this thinking would be ideal for everybody in the world, then there wouldn't be the type of miscommunication that leads to the many man-made problems that we have now.
it's nice to be able to be objective, and see views for what it is; views. some people are passionate about their views, some are just nonchalant about it. some are direct, and some like to be a bit elusive. so many different people, so many different ways of thinking. but the, this is exactly what diversity means
so, from a certain point of view, we need people who disagree, people who agree. people who swear by their own words, people who back up what they say. we need all of these types of people and more, to ensure diversity..
and about winning and losing discussions, it doesn't matter for me...unless i am defending something personal
respect & tolerance has made me what i am today. my joy for humor has enable me to have the strength and patience to do so.. :)1 person likes this
